Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
By leveraging his Hispanic heritage and his bilingualism, Jorge Torres – the American School Counselor Association’s 2023 Washington State School Counselor of the Year – connects with students who are multilingual & multicultural, helping them feel more seen in their school.
#HispanicHeritageMonth #HHM
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
#HispanicHeritageMonth is an opportunity to celebrate the Latino students, teachers, staff, and families across the U.S. who are strengthening our schools every day.
Secretary Miguel Cardona’s message to them for their countless contributions: ¡Muchísimas gracias!
#HHM
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Robert Tinline has been appointed British High Commissioner to Canada.
Robert Tinline
Mr Robert Tinline has been appointed British High Commissioner to Canada in succession to Ms Susannah Goshko CMG, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
Mr Tinline will take up his appointment during February 2025.
Full name: Robert Tinline
| Year | Role |
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| 2020 to 2022 | FCDO, Director COVID |
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| 1997 | Joined FCO |
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MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Students of SPbGASU – participants of the survey “DNA of Russia”. On the left, behind the podium – Irina Lapina
From September 17 to October 7, the “Not Indifferent Person” platform is conducting a survey called “DNA of Russia”. First-year students of SPbGASU studying the discipline “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood” are actively participating in it.
“Any civilization is a living organism. This explains the application of such a term as DNA to Russia. After all, DNA is one of the most important molecules through which the genetic code of all living beings is transmitted,” Irina Lapina, head of the history and philosophy department at our university, addressed the survey participants at a meeting with students.
According to Irina Yuryevna, thanks to digital technologies, expressing one’s opinion has become much easier: in ancient times, one had to gather a veche to do this.
Student Leonid Razumov reported on the importance of the topics covered by the survey: its questions concern the future of Russia and how young people see themselves in 10–15 years.
Student Polina Dmitrieva believes that this survey is very relevant, because it makes you think seriously about life.
“Such a survey motivates, helps to systematize thoughts. It is interesting for people who do not sit still, constantly develop, set goals and want to move towards them,” says student Yaroslav Kudryavtsev.
The DNA of Russia survey is conducted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as part of the state assignment “Organizational and methodological support for research into the socio-psychological well-being of students and employees of higher education institutions using a digital survey system, automated data collection and analysis.” A total of six online surveys are planned for this year.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
http://www.spbgasu.ru/nevs-and-events/nevs/students-spbgasu-participating-in-a-survey-DNA-Russia/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
From today, UN Video presents a series of videos addressing the most frequently asked questions by the public, aimed at demystifying and explaining the General Assembly. These eight short clips are available, please share! We appreciate your warm reception of these materials! We would like to thank Julia Foxen and Heyi Zou for their contributions to these explainers.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Briefing UN Security Council members today (19 Sep) on the situation in the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed his “grave concern” on the “the series of explosions across Lebanon and rockets fired toward Israel in recent days,” warning that these incidents add to the overall volatility. Wennesland urged all parties to “refrain from steps that will further exacerbate the situation and take immediate steps to deescalate.”
In his briefing, Wennesland also highlighted the ongoing demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. He noted that over 550 people, including 250 children, had been displaced. He said, “demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures continued… citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain.”
The Special Coordinator also expressed alarm over provocative actions and rhetoric on both sides. Urging all parties to reject such dangerous incitements, he said, “a joint statement from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad threatened a return to the use of suicide bombings… while an Israeli minister said, ‘Palestinian prisoners must be killed. Shot in the head.’”
Helen Clark, a member of The Elders and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, told the Security Council that the current approach to managing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has failed. She criticized member states that use their veto power to “protect allies” or “obstruct geopolitical rivals,” warning that this undermines the authority of the Council.
Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, referred to a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, declaring Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as unlawful. “The Court reaffirmed the illegality of Israel’s settlements… stressing the obligations of the occupying Power to cease immediately all settlement activities,” Mansour said.
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said, “this Council and the world must wake up to the reality of the threat Iran poses. The dark force driving the violence we see today is not a collection of independent groups; it is Iran pulling the strings,” He said, “the Iranian proxies, Hezbollah in the North, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria, are all Iran’s attack dogs unleashed to spread death and destruction across the region.” Danon further said that Iran is not only targeting Israel but is seeking domination of the entire Middle East, while the Palestinian Authority is being “utterly weak and impotent.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) introduced the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act and the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Act today. Both bills strengthen landowner rights to stop federal land seizures.
“There are few things more sacred than our right to own property, to farm, and to provide for our families,” said Graves. “That’s why our Founding Fathers sought to protect landowners from government land grabs with the Fifth Amendment. Sadly, too many Washington bureaucrats these days just don’t get it—and that’s exactly why we need stronger laws to keep these unaccountable bureaucrats in line, protect landowner rights, and stop unjust federal land grabs.”
H.R. 9604, the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act, reigns in the Surface Transportation Board’s Rails to Trails program, which allows the federal government to take former railroad corridors and give those corridors to third parties for use as recreational trails. This broken process violates the constitutional rights of landowners and unfairly cuts them out of the process. Graves’ legislation would require trail sponsors to get sign off from all impacted landowners and fully compensate landowners when a project moves forward.
You can read the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act here.
H.R. 9603, the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Act repeals provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(IIJA) signed into law by President Biden that allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to override state permitting decisions and approve eminent domain for electric transmission lines.
You can read the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Acthere.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congressman Graves also included language in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 that prohibits the United States Army Corps of Engineers from acquiring any lands or interest in lands using eminent domain under the Missouri River BSNP Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project.
You can read the Section 331(a)(3) on pg. 269 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 here.
What They Are Saying:
Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins:
“For too long, property owners have been run over by provisions of the federal Rails to Trails program, which allows the conversion of abandoned rail lines to public trails without their consent. Protecting private property rights is a priority for Missouri Farm Bureau. We are grateful to Chairman Graves for leading the charge to ensure landowners rights are protected when new trails are proposed. We look forward to working with Chairman Graves and his colleagues in Congress to move this priority initiative across the finish line.”
###
Source: South Africa News Agency
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has instructed relevant departments and emergency services to prioritise clearing affected routes and assisting stranded road users amid the adverse weather conditions in the province.
Addressing the media on the provincial government’s interventions in response to the current severe weather conditions impacting the province, Acting Premier Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, said the Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) has decided that immediate interventions must be focused on the routes most affected by the heavy snowfall.
“This decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of motorists and facilitating the swift restoration of normal travel conditions in these areas,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said on Sunday.
Madlopha-Mthethwa highlighted that the provincial government responded swiftly to the ongoing heavy snowfall affecting various parts of the province, and in coordination with all relevant stakeholders, emergency response measures have been activated to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens and motorists.
As part of the provincial government’s response, officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) have been activated to assist motorists navigating treacherous roads.
“The Road Traffic Inspectorate and Provincial Emergency Services have been deployed to assist motorists stranded on roads impacted by the snowfall. These teams are working tirelessly to ensure safe passage and provide assistance where necessary.
“The Municipal Parks Department is on standby to remove tree debris from affected roads and areas. Furthermore, we are collaborating with non-governmental organisations such as the Red Cross and the Al Imdaad Foundation, who are providing food, water, and hot meals to stranded motorists.”
Provincial agencies, including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development, are actively profiling affected families and offering immediate relief.
“Social workers have also been deployed to offer psycho-social support, social welfare services, and child protection services to those in need. Eskom and municipal electrical departments are on the ground, working to restore power where outages have occurred.
“Additionally, SAPS [South African Police Service] and SANDF [South African National Defence Force] are on standby with helicopters to assist in delivering hot meals and evacuating individuals in severely impacted areas.
“Line function departments such as Health, Education, Agriculture, EDTEA [Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs], Transport, and Human Settlements have activated their contingency plans to ensure that the needs of affected communities are met swiftly and efficiently,” Madlopha-Mthethwa explained.
The provincial government has also called on all citizens to exercise caution considering the heavy snowfall and rain currently affecting the province.
Madlopha-Mthethwa urged residents to remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and avoid unnecessary travel to ensure their safety during these challenging weather conditions.
“The provincial government remains committed to mitigating the impact of the storm and providing continuous support to affected communities. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said.
READ | Government prioritises providing shelter for stranded motorists in anticipation of more snow
Roads reopened
Meanwhile, following the deployment of more graders, most routes affected by snow were reopened on Sunday evening.
These include the N11 Ladysmith to Newcastle; N11 Amajuba Pass; R33 Vryheid to Dundee, water damping on the road at Cotswold; R34 Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid; R33 Vryheid to Paulpietersburg; R34 Vryheid to Melmoth; R69 Vryheid to Pongola; and N2 Richards Bay to Piet Retief.
The R34 Newcastle to Memel is closed.
Motorists have been requested to cancel any unnecessary travel.
READ | Tips for safer driving on icy roads
The provincial government extended its appreciation to the private sector and many other non-governmental organisations that are taking part in the important rescue operation.
“As [the] provincial government we wish to extend deepest condolences to the family of the victims who tragically lost their lives due to hypothermia during the recent snowstorm. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this incredibly difficult time.
“The provincial government stands ready to offer support to the affected family, and we continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of all citizens amid these extreme weather conditions,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister, Narend Singh, has expressed sadness at the loss of life that resulted from freezing temperatures and snowfall that covered parts of the country.
Snowfall brought everyday life to a halt in parts of the country and at least one death over the weekend.
“We are saddened by the loss of life; one death is one too many. Our hearts go out to the deceased’s loved ones and all the members of the public that remain trapped in the snow covering parts of the country, especially the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands,” Singh said.
Expressing sadness at the loss of life and the plight of travellers who were stranded along the N3, R74, and the R617 national and regional roads, among others, Singh said it was critical for the public to consult weather forecasts and warnings ahead of outdoor activity, such as travelling, to stay out of harm’s way.
“It is of paramount importance for the public to normalise checking the weather forecast as they go about planning any outdoor activities including travel and mass events. Such information is disseminated several times each day on traditional and new media platforms to avoid the very dire situation we sadly find ourselves in,” the Deputy Minister said.
Heavy snowfall occurred over the western and southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern Free State, among other areas, endangering lives. The adverse weather led to difficult driving conditions.
At least one person has been reported dead due to exposure of extremely cold conditions.
READ | Roads reopened to traffic after snowfall
On Wednesday, the South African Weather Service (SAWS), an entity of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, issued a media release alerting the public about expected disruptive snow of 15 to 30cm over parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and Mpumalanga between Friday, 20 September and Saturday, 21 September 2024.
The SAWS said at the time that the snowfall was likely to result in the closure of mountain passes, loss of livestock and crops, and affect major traffic routes including parts of the N3, N5 and N11.
The entity added that cold to very cold daytime temperatures of between 8 to 12°C could also be expected over Gauteng and the eastern parts of the North West on Saturday, 21 September. The media release was followed by several severe weather warnings.
Singh said the global Early Warning for All (EW4All) agenda, in terms of which countries of the world are called upon to put measures in place to ensure that everyone on earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through lifesaving Early Warning Systems by the end of 2027, will only bear fruit if the public heeds the warnings of authorities such as the SAWS.
“The public is advised to follow weather reports on radio and television. More weather information can be accessed through the SAWS website www.weathersa.co.za, its WeatherSMART APP and social media platforms,” Singh said. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
NEW YORK, United States of America, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —
As the world convenes in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), Africa’s 1.2 billion people will be counting on their participating leaders and pan-African institutions like the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) to lead the charge on matters critical to the continent’s sustainable development and prosperity.
Issues of climate change, the reform of the global financial architecture, peace, food and health security, access to clean energy and connectivity, among others, are captured in the Bank’s High 5s (http://apo-opa.co/3BnAsrS), are advanced in the new Ten-Year Strategy (http://apo-opa.co/3ZG5u8q) and are aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, ‘the Africa we want’.
The High-Level Segment of the 79th Session of UNGA, bringing together member states, international organizations, intergovernmental bodies, and other key stakeholders, will be held from 22-30 September 2024 under the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”
The 2024 meetings take place against a backdrop of growing concern about the ability to meet critical targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.
The SDGS outline seventeen “goals” collectively described as “a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future” and with a deadline of 2030. They were first unveiled at UNGA 70 in 2015 which saw Dr. Akinwunmi A. Adesina’s debut appearance as the African Development Bank Group President.
Over the last decade, the African Development Bank has ramped up efforts and investments aimed to accelerate the attainment of the SDGs, in synergy with its own High-5s agenda of Light Up and Power Africa; Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. By focusing on these High 5s, the African Development Bank has said, Africa stands the chance of accomplishing 90 percent of its Sustainable Development Goals for Africa.
Accompanied to New York by a high-level delegation of Bank Group executives, Adesina will helm a major push to strengthen partnerships and generate more support and commitment from key stakeholders for the continent’s development priorities.
Adesina’s packed UNGA itinerary will kick off on Sunday, 22 September, at this year’s ‘The Summit of the Future’ (http://apo-opa.co/3MTW2qA), scheduled for 22-23 September 2024. At the summit, Adesina will join world leaders to deliver a statement and adopt an action-oriented document to be known as “A Pact for the Future.”
He will also take part in a closed-door meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres to discuss the critical issues of mobilizing greater private sector participation in Africa’s development, and the reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs).
Adesina will also speak at an event entitled “The World is at a Crossroads”, which will result in a new global blueprint designed to ensure humankind embraces rapid advances in technology and science to deliver on the promise of a better, more peaceful and prosperous future for people and the planet.
A major issue for the Bank is presenting the case for additional funds for the African Development Fund (ADF) , the Bank’s concessional lending arm, which since 2001 has been at the forefront of the Bank’s drive to advance the fragility agenda in Africa. The Bank, one of the first multilateral institutions to embed the concept of fragility and resilience into all its operations, is seeking to secure an ambitious replenishment of $25 billion for the ADF.
A fireside chat, hosted by the broadcaster CNN, will present a platform for Adesina to highlight the Bank’s ground-breaking Desert to Power programme across the continent’s Sahel region, which aims to create the largest solar energy zone in the world and connect 250 million people to electricity by 2030.
The bank president will also address a steering committee meeting of the Access to the Digital Economy (MADE Alliance-Africa) (http://apo-opa.co/4dibTdt) – an organization of which he is a co-chair which aims to provide digital access to 100 million people in Africa. Dr Adesina will stress how he believes the work of MADE is critical to address the ambitious and promising goal of reaching 100 million African farmers in 10 years.
He will be joined by the Bank’s vice-presidents for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery, Finance, Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization and Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth and the Chief Economist.
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Lucy Jarvis is a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category at the Engineering Construction Industry Training and Development Awards.
Lucy Jarvis, Sellafield Ltd
Lucy, from Cockermouth, West Cumbria, is a technical degree apprentice and started at Sellafield Ltd in 2022.
She works in a team managing quality assurance documents which ensure nuclear safety is protected when nuclear waste is packaged and stored.
One of the highlights of her apprenticeship so far, was being involved in a project designed to overcome robot obsolescence on the Sellafield site.
Another was representing Sellafield Ltd at the Nuclear Week in Parliament Skills and Apprenticeship Fair 2023.
She said:
I was quite surprised when I found out about the nomination. It was a really exciting time when I got the email and I’m looking forward to attending the ceremony.
I’ve really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far. There have been lots of opportunities to network with different people and learn from subject matter experts. There’s a vast range of roles to venture into and my manager has been really supportive of my development throughout.
The Sellafield Education and Skills team have been really supportive, they helped to arrange trips to the Vandellos reactor site in Barcelona and the CERN research centre in Switzerland as well as many national EDF sites.
These visits have allowed me to reach my level 6 apprenticeship competencies as well as gain knowledge from other areas in the sector.
But Lucy isn’t resting on her laurels, she already has plans for future career development.
She said:
Next year I will be starting my secondment in project management at Sellafield, and I will be finishing my foundation degree and starting my degree in plant engineering.
The Engineering Construction Industry Training and Development Awards are an annual celebration of outstanding achievements in skill enhancement, highlighting exceptional young talent in the sector.
Lucy will find out if she’s been successful at a ceremony in London on 5 November 2024.
Her nomination is the third piece of good news for Sellafield’s apprentice scheme in as many months.
In July, the company was named one of the top 100 apprenticeship employers in England.
And earlier this month, another 300 vocational and degree apprentices and 150 graduates joined the business.
The bumper intake underlined Sellafield Ltd’s commitment to investing in young careers and nurturing future talent to ensure the company continues to drive towards its century-long clean up mission.
Michelle Lambon-Wilks, head of education and skills for Sellafield Ltd, said:
We’re so proud of Lucy’s achievements. We’re all crossing our fingers she wins the award.
But even if she doesn’t, she’s still a fabulous role model for other apprentices and young people considering a career in our industry.
We’ll begin recruiting for next year’s cohort of apprentices in November 2024. Lucy is an example of how far you can go if you’re willing to take a chance and push yourself to achieve.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong will depart for a visit to Wuhan in Hubei Province tomorrow morning to learn more about the province’s efforts in promoting the development of innovation and technology, and new industrialisation.
He will tour advanced manufacturing and microelectronics enterprises as well as key scientific research institutes and facilities.
Prof Sun will also meet and engage in exchanges with senior officials of local universities, leaders of high-tech enterprises and technology experts, and call on leaders of the People’s Government of Hubei Province.
The technology chief is scheduled to attend the 2024 China Automotive Supply Chain Conference & the Third China New Energy Intelligent Networked Vehicle Ecological Conference organised by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Dongfeng Corporation.
Commissioner for Industry (Innovation & Technology) Ge Ming will join the visit.
Prof Sun will return to Hong Kong on the evening of September 25. During his absence, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong will be Acting Secretary.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Health Bureau designates operator of Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute through open tender
Health Bureau designates operator of Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute through open tender
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The Health Bureau (HHB) announced today (September 23) that, after months of preparation with full effort since the Chief Executive put forward in the Policy Address last October the establishment of the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI) in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (i.e. the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park), the GBAICTI is anticipated to come into full operation in the fourth quarter of this year at the Central Government-Aided Emergency Hospital in the Hetao area upon completion of the construction of its temporary office and biobank therein. The GBAICTI plans to move into one of the wet laboratory-enabled buildings, which is expected to complete construction later in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem in a proactive manner. The HHB established the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute Limited in the second quarter of this year and designated the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong through an open tender process in the third quarter to operate the GBAICTI. The Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute Limited is wholly owned by the Government to oversee the work of the operator and effectively supervise the operations of the GBAICTI. Clinical trials are an important process in translating basic research on drug and medical device innovation into marketing authorisation and clinical application. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has high-quality healthcare professions, and a considerable amount of high-quality research data generated by local clinical trials over the years has been widely recognised by drug regulatory authorities both on the Mainland and abroad. The GBAICTI will serve as a one-stop clinical trial support platform to co-ordinate and integrate clinical trial resources in Hong Kong’s public and private sectors, including universities, the Hospital Authority and private healthcare facilities, to give impetus to the development of clinical trials on all fronts. The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “The establishment of the GBAICTI in the strategic location of the Hetao area can combine the strengths of Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and leverage the development positioning of the Hetao Area for technology innovation and institutional innovation as well as the related cross-boundary facilitation measures, to provide multinational pharmaceutical enterprises, Mainland innovative biopharmaceutical enterprises, hospitals and research institutions with more efficient services, encouraging them to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong and the GBA, thereby expediting the translation of research results. We hope that this will attract more pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises within and outside Hong Kong to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong to further enhance the city’s capacity, recognition and status in terms of clinical trials and support a progressive transition to a primary evaluation approach for drug registration in Hong Kong.” The National 14th Five-Year Plan has expressed clear support to develop Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub. The Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone promulgated by the State Council in August last year also indicated clear support for the co-ordinated development of the Hong Kong Park and the Shenzhen Park under the “one zone, two parks” model to promote the innovative application of cutting-edge biomedical technologies. The GBAICTI in the Hong Kong Park and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Centre in the Shenzhen Park will join forces to synergise the development of clinical trials, drive co-operation among the clinical trial networks of the HKSAR and the Mainland (the GBA in particular), and at the same time co-ordinate clinical trial work of both places to comply with national and international standards. The GBAICTI will formulate work plans on initiatives including talent training, optimisation of processes and collaboration in the GBA. Details will be announced in due course.
Ends/Monday, September 23, 2024Issued at HKT 18:01
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by China CITIC Bank International Limited relating to a fraudulent website and an internet banking login screen, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or login screen concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Source: USAID
By Administrator Samantha Power and Open Philanthropy CEO Alexander Berger
Washington Post
Ten years ago, when residents of Flint, Mich., were exposed to toxic levels of lead in their drinking water, 1 in 20 children in the city had elevated blood lead levels that placed them at risk for heart disease, strokes, cognitive deficits and developmental delays – health effects that residents still grapple with to this day. It was only after activists rallied, organized and advocated relentlessly that national attention focused on Flint, and officials committed nearly half a billion dollars to clean up Flint’s water.
Today, there is a lead poisoning crisis raging on a far greater scale – and hardly anyone is talking about it.
In low- and middle-income countries, home to more than 1.5 billion of the world’s children, 1 in 2 children has elevated levels of lead in their blood. That’s 10 times the rate of poisoning at the height of the crisis in Flint. The Center for Global Development estimates that the damage lead is causing to children’s brains accounts for 20 percent of the education gap between high- and low-income countries. All told, every year, lead poisoning is estimated to cost the global economy more than $1 trillion and claims at least 1.5 million lives – more than annual deaths from HIV and malaria combined.
Yet the yearly global funding for tackling lead poisoning in developing countries totals just $15 million – the cost of a single 60-second ad at the Super Bowl, and a small fraction of what is spent on diseases with similar health burdens.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL OP-ED IN THE WASHINGTON POST
Source: US Amalgamated Transit Union
Vancouver, BC – After an 18-day strike, an aggressive campaign, and months of bargaining, HandyDART workers have reached a tentative agreement with Transdev, the multinational company contracted by Translink to operate the service. The members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1724-Vancouver, BC, will hold a ratification vote in the coming days.
On September 3, HandyDART workers launched their strike with a spirited rally attended by ATU International President John Costa, labor leaders from across the region, HandyDART riders, and allies. Since then the two sides have been holding mediated contract talks resulting in this tentative agreement.
“It’s been a long fight for our HandyDART members, but since day one of our strike, we have stood strong and we have never been more united,” said Local 1724 President/Business Agent Joe McCann. “We nnow have a fair and just contract that narrows the gap between us and conventional transit. It also ensures a safe and reliable transit system for our HandyDART riders who rely on this critical service. We would like to thank our riders in particular, who have shown us overwhelming solidarity during these difficult 18 days.”
The new contract includes significant wage increases that would address the staffing shortages, and the Union was also able to push back on the use of taxis through creative language on shift scheduling and reporting.
The Union had been in contract negotiations with Transdev since November 2023. On June 27, 2024, HandyDART workers voted 95% to authorize strike action, with 87% of active members participating in the strike vote overall. Then starting on July 3, HandyDART workers engaged in partial work withdrawals as part of a steady ramp up of job actions. These have included: refusals to wear uniforms; collect fares; work overtime; fill out certain kinds of paperwork; and doing work off the clock.
Among the other key issues were staffing shortages and high worker turnover, which had been more than double that of the rest of Translink, due to poor compensation in comparison to other transit jobs in the region. Worker shortages have been a major factor in the skyrocketing use of taxis at HandyDART, and riders have complained that taxi drivers do not have the same training nor provide the same door-to-door service. This has led to many Mayors and City Councils openly calling for Translink to bring the service in-house in order to improve safety and public accountability.
“I am proud of our HandyDART members. On the picket lines and rallies, I saw firsthand their strength, unity, and solidarity,” said International President John Costa. “The result was a strong contract that recognizes the commitment and dedication of our HandyDART members to provide safe and reliable transportation for our seniors and people with disabilities. Our members now have a pathway to the middle class for the critical public service they provide. It was an honor to hold the line with you.”
Source: USAID
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Benjamin Suarato:
Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs for the United Arab Emirates to discuss necessary actions to more effectively respond to the catastrophic humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen.
Source: US Department of Labor
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau welcomed elected officials and leaders from the entertainment industry and advocacy groups on Sept. 17, 2024, for “Beyond 9 to 5: The Ongoing Fight for Gender Equality in the Workplace,” a screening of new documentary on gender equity followed by a moderated discussion on the issue in the workplace.
After screening the film “Still Working 9 to 5,” an examination of the evolution of gender equity in the workplace inspired by the 1980 feature film “9 to 5,” Acting Secretary Julie Su moderated a talk back focused on pay equity, occupational segregation, gender-based violence and harassment, discrimination and lack of access to quality and affordable care.
The panel discussion included the documentary’s co-producers Camille Hardman and Gary Lane; National Women’s Law Center President and CEO Fatima Goss Graves; Young Feminist Party Deputy Executive Director Claudia Nachega; former Women’s Bureau Director and now activist Karen Nussbaum; and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Sisters in the Brotherhood Director Sandra Rodriguez.
“Watching the documentary emphasized the original film’s thoughtfulness and the ways it perfectly depicted the themes the Department of Labor celebrates today. It showed that when workers have a voice, they can affect change in their workplace and that strengthening support services can increase happiness and lead to better productivity,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “While we have made some progress, issues that negatively affect women’s participation in the workplace remain. Under President Biden’s leadership, we continue to invest in good jobs for women. When we talk about ‘good jobs’ for women workers, we mean jobs that pay based on the work they do, not based on their gender, and jobs where all workers have dignity, respect and can exercise their rights and power.”
“Four decades after this groundbreaking original film highlighted a culture that devalued working women, we still see women across professions fighting for fair wages and the ability to work with safety, dignity, and equity. I’m proud of the critical work the National Women’s Law Center leads to help pass laws combatting the scourge of harassment and workplace policies and conditions that allow discrimination to thrive,” said NWLC President and CEO Fatima Goss Graves. “More than 40 years later, ‘Still Working 9 to 5’ is a timely, galvanizing reminder that with laws and policies that give women equitable opportunities in the workplace we can transform a culture that undervalues women.”
Camille Hardman, who also directed the film, expressed her gratitude to the department for showcasing the film, saying: “The Women’s Bureau fosters a supportive and active environment that helps push the door open and encourage challenging conversations around women’s equality, care, job segregation, family leave and sexual harassment that can only lead to long-term needed culture change in the workplace and the labor movement.”
When asked about his role as co-producer for the film, Gary Lane stated, “I feel it’s very important that men need to be involved in the conversation for real change to happen.”
Young Feminist Party Deputy Executive Director Claudia Nachega said one of the things the documentary reinforced was the need to include all voices – especially young people’s voices – for a movement to be effective. “Today, young people are bearing the brunt of attacks on abortion access, queer and transgender rights, economic inequality and more. The original movie was a call to action for congress to provide a concrete, constitutional legal system to fight gender injustice,” Nachega said. “Then and now, we know the Equal Rights Amendment is key, and young people need the President to act and publish the ERA at the request of congressional leaders and young people across the country.”
Director Chun-Hoon cited the event as one more way to keep the conversation going. “The Biden-Harris administration has centered women, people of color, people with disabilities and other communities that have disproportionately been left out of workplace gains, but there’s still work to be done,” said Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon. “This critical conversation about the progress to date and the continued work needed to establish and maintain access to good jobs that offer family-sustaining wages, paid leave and flexibility and where workers are safe and respected is crucial to the mission of the Women’s Bureau.”
Acting Secretary Su closed the evening by considering how women’s rights in the workplace will change over the next 40 years. “We acknowledge there are many challenges, but each of the leaders, activists, organizers in this room – with the full power of the Department of Labor – can drive things forward. All of us do this kind of work because we believe change is possible.”
Source: US Department of Labor
LAS VEGAS – Acting Secretary Su traveled to Las Vegas Sept. 19, 2024, to commemorate The Venetian Resort’s historic first contract with the Culinary Workers Union, congratulate workers for their hard work in reaching the agreement, and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to supporting workers and union jobs.
The Acting Secretary joined Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas President and CEO Patrick Nichols in offering remarks for the occasion.
“This is not just a landmark moment in the history of Las Vegas – it’s a victory for workers and a victory for the Venetian, because this first contract will provide stability and a guaranteed quality workforce – this is what can be achieved when workers and management come together to find common ground,” Acting Secretary Su said.
Media coverage highlighted Acting Secretary Su’s announcement as follows:
U.S. labor secretary helps celebrate contract at Las Vegas’ Venetian
By Kyle Chouinard | Sept. 19, 2024
“I’ve never known workers that are trying to organize a union because they don’t want to work with their employer,” Su said Thursday at a contract celebration. “They want the employer to do well, and that shared success is the … future of the romance that you all solidified here today.”
Culinary Union celebrates the end of their longest campaign
By Steve Sebelius | Sept. 19, 2024
“It says that unions make America strong,” [Acting Secretary Su] said. “You hear President Biden say it all the time, the middle-class built America and unions built the middle class. And now the workers here in the Venetian are going to be able to enjoy the benefits of having a real voice on the job, of being able to negotiate for their wages and health benefits, for how technology will be implemented in the workplace, to just really feel valued.”
For 14-year Venetian employee Carmen Vargas, who served on the negotiating committee that hammered out the new contract, it’s not just better wages and good healthcare, but also the ability to buy a home.
U.S. Secretary of Labor celebrates all-union Las Vegas Strip with Culinary
By Dana Gentry | Sept. 19, 2024
“By supporting the right to organize, we’re seeing workers gain more power in the workplace,” she said, and that in turn is helping to drive “a record recovery from the pandemic and it’s creating more prosperity all around.”
While billions of dollars pour into communities via the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda, Su says she’s focused on “opportunity infrastructure” and connecting people from all walks of life with good jobs by eliminating obstacles such as lack of transportation or childcare.
Source: South Africa News Agency
President Cyril Ramaphosa says as the continent tackles Mpox, Africa needs to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We need to ensure equitable distribution of medical countermeasures based on transparent criteria and readiness to initiate vaccination. We ask Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to lead the consultation with member states to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines and other medical countermeasures,” said the President.
He was delivering South Africa’s statement at the African Union Heads of State virtual meeting on Mpox on Sunday.
“We need a finance plan that is evidence-based, with sound forecasting of needs. The Africa CDC mandate on data sharing is the bedrock of global health security. This will help to ensure that public health threats are detected and shared across borders and with other continental and global stakeholders,” said the President.
He said countries would only be able to effectively mobilise and direct funds if supported by reliable data.
“We call on all African countries to make use of this instrumental system that has been created by our own institution. We call for the urgent operationalisation of the Africa Epidemic Fund as the primary vehicle for epidemic response financial management.”
He said as with COVID-19, Africa is still struggling to get the Mpox vaccine and treatment.
The President said the continent needs to manufacture Mpox vaccines in Africa to reduce costs and improve access.
“We must co-develop these medical countermeasures, share intellectual property and ensure technology transfer. In this regard, we welcome the agreement between Africa CDC and Bavarian Nordic to transfer the Mpox vaccine technology to African manufacturers,” he said.
With the financial support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, Afreximbank, the European Union and other partners, President Ramaphosa said the continent should be able to start vaccine manufacturing by 2025.
“In the meantime, we appreciate the support from a number of countries to get vaccines in Africa.
“The COVID-19 experience taught us that we need predictable demand and off-take guarantees for the vaccines, medicines and diagnostics manufactured in Africa. African countries should therefore buy vaccines and other health products manufactured in Africa to ensure sustainable manufacturing on our continent.”
He said this could be achieved through the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism.
Surveillance systems must be enhanced and healthcare delivery and infrastructure strengthened.
“We must ensure that frontline health workers have the necessary diagnostic tools, vaccines and antiviral treatments. We need tested public health messages that promote awareness and prevention.
“Beyond the targeted vaccination responses to outbreaks, we should explore the feasibility of continuing vaccinations in high-risk populations. This dual approach will help create a buffer against future outbreaks and protect our most vulnerable communities,” he said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
The President commended the fact that Africa CDC had partnered with the WHO, UNICEF and other partners to develop the Mpox continental preparedness and response plan and to build, for the first time in Africa, one Continental Incident Management Team.
The total number of positive cases recorded in South Africa since the outbreak in May this year stands at 25 cases, including three deaths. Twelve of these were reported in Gauteng, 11 reported in KwaZulu-Natal and two in the Western Cape.
Africa CDC has signed a partnership agreement with the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and Bavarian Nordic to provide over 215 000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine.
Africa CDC will oversee the equitable distribution of these vaccines, prioritising local needs across the affected member states. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
Monday, September 23, 2024
A 30-year-old female Namibian drug mule was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday.
The South African Police Services (SAPS), South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs and immigration officials received intelligence from SAPS regarding a drug mule that would land from Sau Paulo at about 07:25.
“The team immediately intercepted the drug mule as she was making her way through immigration. She was immediately arrested, taken to a local hospital where a medical x-ray confirmed and detected foreign objects in her stomach,” said the police in a statement.
According to police the process to release the suspected drugs from her body is underway.
“She has already released more than 60 bullets of suspected cocaine thus far. She is currently under police guard and custody.
“The value of the drugs cannot be determined at this stage as the process to release all suspected drugs from the suspect’s body may take some time,” said the statement.
This is the tenth drug mule to be arrested at this airport in the past two months.
National Commissioner of the Police, General Fannie Masemola, applauded the vigilance of the multidisciplinary team who are working tirelessly to clamp down on criminality at the airport.
“Our men and women in blue are hard at work intercepting hardened criminals. South Africa is not a playground for criminals and transnational organised crime. We are squeezing the space for criminals and leaving nothing to chance,” said Masemola. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: US State of Hawaii
Posted on Sep 22, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
KA ʻOIHANA MĀLAMA LAWELAWE KANAKA
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
RYAN I. YAMANE
DIRECTOR
KA LUNA HOʻOKELE
JOSEPH CAMPOS II
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE
TRISTA SPEER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2024
DHS HOSTS DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OUTREACH EVENT FOR MAUI WILDFIRE SURVIVORS IN NEED OF SUPPORT
Case Managers Provided Vital Guidance and Enrolled Survivors in the Program
HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS) hosted an outreach event with more than 25 community partners in Kahului for wildfire survivors to learn more about the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP).
The DCMP connects survivors of disasters with specially trained disaster case managers (DCMs) to help assess and address their needs through a disaster recovery plan, which includes resources, decision-making priorities, providing guidance and tools. A DCM acts as a ‘quarterback’ to help survivors navigate their recovery and will continue to assist survivors for up to five years.
More than 700 people attended yesterday’s event, including DCMP partners and members of the Maui community, and Maui wildfire survivors interested in the program were welcomed to learn more about services available to them. DCMs answered questions and immediately enrolled more than 100 survivors in the program at the event located at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.
The DCMP recently received an additional $7.9 million in funding to expand the program, bringing its total funding to $26.8 million and enabling the program to grow by more than double – increasing its potential reach to serve approximately 3,000 households at a time. The DCMP has already made a significant difference for the Maui community, helping more than 5,000 individuals to date.
“Thank you to the Maui community and all of our great partners. We are so grateful to everyone that has helped to make the DCMP a success and look forward to continuing to help connect survivors with the crucial services they need,” said DCMP Director Jen Monaghan. “The DCMP is making a difference for people every day and we are actively expanding the program. We encourage any survivors in need of supports and resources to attend these kinds of outreach events or simply call 211 to enroll in the program immediately.”
Maui wildfire survivors who are interested in enrolling in the DCMP are encouraged to call 211. Hours of operation are from 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. seven days a week.
###
Media Contact:
Amanda Stevens
Public Information Officer
Department of Human Services
[email protected]
Source: US Department of Labor
CHICAGO – A federal judge has ordered Mariusz Lekarczyk, the owner and operator of four Chicago-area We Wash Hand Wash and Car Detail Centers, and We Wash Car Care Center Inc. to pay $799,566 in back wages and damages to 110 employees and $110,990 in penalties to the U.S. Department of Labor, as part of a consent judgment and order obtained by the department.
On September 19, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago ordered Lekarczyk and his company to pay the back wages owed by May 1, 2025 and penalties by August 1, 2025. The employer must immediately display posters and provide information to employees about their rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The court’s action was spurred by the filing of a complaint in district court after an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division discovered Lekarczyk did not pay workers overtime at time and one-half their regular rate of pay for hours over 40 in a workweek or keep records of payments to workers, as required. The division found violations at the company’s Chicago locations at 2042 S. Halsted St. and 4660 W. Lawrence Ave. from at least June 23, 2020, to June 22, 2022, and at their 2744 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park and 5600 New Wilke Road, Rolling Meadows locations between Oct. 21, 2020, and Oct. 20, 2022.
The complaint alleges Lekarczyk and his company paid workers by check for the first 40 hours they worked, then paid for overtime hours in cash at straight time without the overtime rates.
The Halsted and Lawrence locations were previously investigated by the division in 2013, where similar overtime violations were found.
“The recovery of these rightfully earned wages will have a tremendous impact on the employees who earned them and sends a clear message to all employers that we will not tolerate an employer’s failure to pay overtime,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Tom Gauza in Chicago. “We appreciate the court’s support in the Department of Labor’s fight on behalf of workers and in holding employers legally accountable.”
“The U.S. Department of Labor will take all necessary legal actions – including recovering back wages, seeking damages and assessing penalties – to hold employers who violate the law accountable,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor Christine Z. Heri in Chicago.
The department’s compliance guide explains employees’ rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division and how to file an online complaint. For confidential compliance assistance, employees and employers can call the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243), regardless of where they are from.
Download the agency’s new Timesheet App for iOS and Android devices – available in English and Spanish – to ensure hours and pay are accurate.
DOL v. We Wash Car Care Center Inc., d/b/a We Wash, Mariusz Lekarczyk, owner
Civil Action No. 1:24-cv-06259
Source: South Africa News Agency
Monday, September 23, 2024
Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Mzwanele Nyhontso, has welcomed the latest developments in the case against a suspended official implicated in alleged financial irregularities within the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR), regional Land Claims office in the Eastern Cape.
Nyhontso approved the immediate suspension of the officials who worked at the regional Land Claims office in the Eastern Cape, who were implicated in alleged financial irregularities.
Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Nomfundo Ntloko said the commission had been in full support of investigations by law enforcement agencies and remained committed to rooting out corruption related to the restitution of land rights process.
Nyhontso said the CRLR, where the official was based, had been cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service’s Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), to ensure compliance with all necessary and relevant processes.
The official together with her alleged accomplices have been arrested and are expected to appear in the East London Magistrates court on Monday.
“Corruption within the department will not be tolerated, and tough action will be taken against any officials implicated,” Nyhontso warned. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: US State of California 2
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:
The Governor also announced that he has vetoed the following bills:
For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
Source: US Department of Labor
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $203 million in grants through the Senior Community Service Employment Program to provide training and career services to low-income older individuals who are seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce.
The department’s Employment and Training Administration awarded $194 million to 19 national nonprofit organizations through the program’s general fund, and three organizations received a total of $9 million in funds set aside by statute to provide employment services to older workers from Native American or Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.
The SCSEP funding will enable program participants to move into unsubsidized employment in public and private sectors, foster self-sufficiency and promote part-time work experiences in community service assignments for unemployed low-income people ages 55 and older.
Authorized by the Older Americans Act, the SCSEP awards provide funding through the end of Program Year 2024. This cohort of grantees may receive a total of approximately $313 million annually for an additional three years, subject to future appropriations.
Learn about the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
The recipients of Senior Community Service Employment Program grants are as follows:
| Recipient |
State |
Amount |
| International Pre-Diabetes Center Inc. |
CA |
$1,034,454 |
| Asociación Nacional Por Personas Mayores |
CA |
$8,167,680 |
| The WorkPlace |
CT |
$7,561,975 |
| National Caucus and Center on Black Aging Inc. |
DC |
$15,925,630 |
| AARP Foundation |
DC |
$30,298,545 |
| National Able Network Inc. |
IL |
$3,163,484 |
| Easter Seals Inc. |
IL |
$14,405,401 |
| Indiana Region 9 Workforce Board |
IN |
$1,067,320 |
| Goodwill Industries International Inc. |
MD |
$14,640,900 |
| Center for Workforce Inclusion |
MD |
$30,071,551 |
| Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston Inc. |
MA |
$3,167,303 |
| National Indian Council on Aging Inc. |
NM |
$2,457,140 |
| National Urban League Inc. |
NY |
$8,794,073 |
| Vantage Aging |
OH |
$2,967,921 |
| SER Jobs for Progress National Inc. |
TX |
$13,817,976 |
| Associates for Training and Development Inc. |
VT |
$6,223,195 |
| National Council on Aging Inc. |
VA |
$22,621,421 |
| National Experienced Workforce Solutions |
VA |
$2,094,911 |
| National Asian Pacific Center on Aging |
WA |
$5,507,520 |
| Total Awarded |
$193,988,400 |
Senior Community Service Employment Program set-aside funding recipients are as follows:
| Recipient |
State |
Amount |
| Institute for Indian Development, Inc. |
LA |
$1,881,413 |
| National Indian Council on Aging Inc. |
NM |
$2,702,509 |
| National Asian Pacific Center on Aging |
WA |
$4,583,922 |
| Total Awarded | $9,167,844 |
Source: South Africa News Agency
Monday, September 23, 2024
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has taken action to stabilise the administration and governance of the department by advertising key vacancies in the department for permanent appointment.
Over the weekend, vacancies were advertised for a number of positions, including the Head of Infrastructure, Supply Management Executive for the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE), Chief Director for Human Resource Management, Deputy Director of Facilities Management, Deputy Director-General of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Deputy Director-General of Policy Research and Regulation, and Chief Director for accounting and reporting.
“The filling of these key positions with permanent appointments is part of the actions we have been taking to bring stability and good governance to the department since my appointment more than two months ago.
“These positions play a critical role in the department’s functioning,” Macpherson said in a statement on Monday.
He encouraged all South Africans, who have the necessary skills and expertise, to apply for the positions and “join us in the work we are doing to reform the department in order for us to build a better South Africa for all our people”.
“With the advertising of these positions, we are laying the foundation of a professional public service within the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure which has a diversity of skills and expertise to move us forward,” said the Minister.
Individuals who meet the requisite requirements have until 18 October 2024 to apply.
A copy of the advert and position requirements can be found at https://bit.ly/3ZzyoHn.
“The advertising of these positions forms part of the greater work we are doing to build a strong Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to deliver our vision of turning South Africa into a construction site. By working together we can ignite economic growth, create jobs and build a more prosperous South Africa,” said Macpherson. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: USAID
Today, USAID is announcing two new partners, Reliance Foundation and The UPS Foundation, to the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF), which works to close the gender digital divide, improving women’s livelihoods, economic security, and resilience. WiDEF was launched by Vice President Kamala Harris in March 2023.
Reliance Foundation will provide up to $10 million through three funding rounds for innovative initiatives to bridge the gender digital divide in India, doubling the available WiDEF funding in the country and supporting the 2023 G20 Leaders commitment to halve the digital gender gap by 2030. Additionally, Reliance Foundation will support learning through development of knowledge products, dissemination of promising practices and other tools, and bolster measurement and learning for all India grantees. The UPS Foundation provided $1 million to WiDEF to identify, directly fund, and accelerate evidence-based, proven solutions to close the gender digital divide.
WiDEF is a joint effort between USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation managed by the GSMA Foundation, CARE, and the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership. Since the official launch of WiDEF in March 2024, the Fund has identified promising and effective approaches to closing the gender digital divide, and recently announced the list of semifinalists for the first round of funding. In addition to the $50.5 million previously announced by USAID, WiDEF partners Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Government of the Republic of Korea, Microsoft, Reliance Foundation, and the UPS Foundation committed $32.6 million in funding.
Building on the success of the Fund, Women in the Digital Economy Initiative partners from governments, private sector companies, foundations, civil society, and multilateral organizations have pledged more than $1.01 billion to accelerate gender digital equality.
Source: US State of Hawaii
Posted on Sep 21, 2024 in Main
September 21, 2024
NR24-28
HONOLULU – A single coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) has been found in a trap this week by the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) during routine monitoring in Waikoloa on Hawai‘i Island. This is the first detection of CRB on the island since October 2023 when a Waikoloa resident reported finding a total of six grubs (larvae) in a decaying palm tree stump. The trap that the CRB was found in this week is located about 200 yards from the earlier detection.
HDOA set 30 traps around Waikoloa and has been conducting routine monitoring with the assistance of volunteer area residents. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee has set additional traps, as has the University of Hawai‘i, whose traps have cameras that allow real-time monitoring.
The pheromone traps are used for early detection of infestations. The traps do not attract all CRB in the area and are not effective as an eradication method. Surveillance for CRB has been ongoing on all islands, including traps at airports, harbors and other strategic locations.
HDOA and CRB Response teams are now focusing on eradication efforts in the area where the beetle was found. Initial surveys in the immediate area did not detect obvious signs of CRB damage in palm trees.
“CRB surveillance on Hawai‘i Island has been ongoing and early detection is key to prevent the establishment of breeding populations,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “We ask everyone to keep an eye out for CRB, especially in their compost and mulch piles which are major breeding grounds of the beetle.”
Residents on all islands are asked to be vigilant when purchasing mulch, compost and soil products, and to inspect bags for evidence of entry holes. An adult beetle is about 2-inches long, all black and has a single horn on its head. CRB grubs live in decomposing plant and animal waste. Adult CRB prefer to feed on coconut and other larger palms and are a major threat to the health of these plants.
Residents may go to the CRB Response website at: https://www.crbhawaii.org/ to learn more about how to detect the signs of CRB damage and how to identify CRB life stages. Reports of possible CRB infestation may also be made to the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at (808) 643-PEST (7378).
The CRB is a large scarab beetle that was first detected on O‘ahu in 2013. The beetle has since been detected in many neighborhoods on O‘ahu and was detected on Kaua‘i in May 2023, where collaborative eradication efforts continue. CRB grubs were found in Kīhei, Maui, in November 2023, but have not been detected on the island since.
CRB is a serious pest of palm trees, primarily coconut palms, as the adult beetles bore into the crowns of the palms to feed on the trees’ sap. New unopened fronds are damaged in this way and when fully opened, may break and fall unexpectedly. If CRB kill or damage the growing point of the palm, the tree may die. Secondary fungal or bacterial pathogens may also attack the wounds caused by CRB, thereby killing the tree as well. Tree mortality after CRB attack has been reported to be anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent. Dead trees then become a safety hazard as they may fall unexpectedly after the trunk rots, potentially resulting in bodily injury or property damage.
CRB is a major pest of palms in India, the Philippines, Palau, Fiji, Wallis and Futuna, Nukunono, American and Western Samoa and Guam. It is still not known exactly how the beetles arrived in Hawai‘i.
###
Source: US Geological Survey
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s contribution is from Michael Loya, graduate student, and Ken Sims, Professor of Geology and Geophysics, both at the University of Wyoming.
As you drive through Yellowstone National Park, have you ever wondered how roads are safely built through and near hydrothermal areas? While roads are usually not constructed through major thermal features, the hydrothermal activity is so pervasive throughout the park that building roads through and near hydrothermal areas is sometimes unavoidable—like the road that passes near Beryl Spring and proved to be a major engineering challenge, and the road that crosses thermal ground in Lower Geyser Basin and is the source of the “melting roads of Yellowstone” story. Furthermore, the absence of hot springs and mud pots doesn’t mean that there is not thermal activity just below the surface. This is why bridges require special planning, as they usually involve drilling. Such is the case with the bridge currently under construction across the Yellowstone River near Tower Junction.
The Yellowstone River Bridge project involves replacing the existing 60-year-old bridge and rerouting part of the Northeast Entrance Road to the intersection of Grand Loop Road (https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/projects/wy/nps-yell-12-2). This new 1,285 foot long and 175-foot-high steel girder bridge is located within a hydrothermally active zone with multiple gas vents along the river’s edge.
Because of its proximity to thermal activity, the large-drilled shafts (5–10 feet in diameter and 40–60 feet in depth) required sulfate-resistant cement and thermal monitoring of below-grade concrete curing to assure a stable bridge structure. The actual drilling of these large shafts also posed a significant safety risk for the drillers.
A particular concern related to the drilling was hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S)—a toxic gas often associated with Yellowstone’s hydrothermal systems. H2S is first noticeable to humans at 0.01–1.5 parts per million (ppm), and it has a faint rotten egg smell. At higher concentrations, H₂S is odorless and extremely dangerous. Prolonged exposure, up to an hour or more, to concentrations between 10 and 50 ppm can cause nausea, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and eye and respiratory tract irritation. Concentrations between 400 and 700 ppm can cause unconsciousness within five minutes and death if exposure is not reduced within 30–60 minutes, and concentrations above 1,000 ppm can cause death in minutes.
The hazard is not inconsequential and is exemplified by an accident that occurred in this same location on June 26, 1939. While building an earlier bridge across the Yellowstone River, three Bureau of Public Roads employees were conducting a routine test pit excavation when H2S overwhelmed two of the workers in the pit. The two victims were eventually rescued, but unfortunately, one worker died the following day.
To determine if the modern-day drilling was impinging on the adjacent local hydrothermal system, geologists from the University of Wyoming measured and recorded temperature and pH variations in groundwater and “drill-spoils” (the dirt and rock removed from the drill holes), as well as changes in groundwater electrical conductivity at specified time and depth intervals. They also monitored gas concentrations to help ensure a safe work environment. This monitoring involved equipping each worker with a personal H₂S gas sensor to continuously monitor H₂S levels around the drill site. In the event of an accidental and hazardous gas exposure, an oxygen supply and full protective gear were on site to ensure a fast and effective response.
To establish a decision tree in response to a hazardous event, a Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) was implemented to address any geologic hazards or worker risks that may occur during drilling operations. If hazardous conditions were detected, the plan outlined three levels of response. At Trigger Level 1, which indicates elevated temperatures, more acidic conditions in the soil and water, and levels of H2S gas up 10 ppm, monitoring intervals would be shortened. At Trigger Level 2, which indicates that even higher temperatures, higher acidity, and higher levels of H2S (~15 ppm) were detected in the drill shafts, the TARP officer would be notified immediately, and monitoring would be conducted even more frequently. The TARP officer would also notify project managers and Yellowstone National Park officials of a Trigger Level 2 event. Even higher temperatures, soil and water acidity, and H2S concentrations (greater than 20 ppm), would initiate a Trigger Level 3 causing a work stoppage and immediate evacuation of the area until conditions were deemed safe. Lastly, each day’s activities were documented with detailed daily records of the drilling activities and a final drilling log for each of the twenty drilled shafts as part of the project.
The drilling phase of the Yellowstone River Bridge project was completed in September 2023 without incident. Potential hazards were mitigated through careful planning, monitoring of geologic conditions, and implementation of a Trigger Action Response Plan. Construction is above ground is ongoing, and the bridge is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2026.